City were reduced to 10 men after just five minutes at Eastlands against the North Londoners as last-man Dedryck Boyata was sent off for a reckless challenge on Marouane Chamakh.
The Gunners then secured the win thanks to goals from Samir Nasri, Alex Song and substitute Nicklas Bendtner, while Cesc Fabregas also missed a penalty.
Mancini believes City would have won had Boyata not been shown his marching orders by referee Mark Clattenburg, and was in defiant mood after the full-time whistle.
"I think it (the sending off) was decisive in the game because it was at the worst moment," he told Sky Sports.
"But I am very proud of my players because I think they played very well. We stayed in the game until the second goal.
"We tried always to score and play - this is very important.
"I think after today we must say that we are one of the best teams in the Premier League.
"I think that 11 against 11 we would have won this game.
"Okay I am disappointed for the loss but it can happen 11 against 10 against Arsenal.
"After this game I think we have improved a lot, we are a strong team. Now it is past."
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